OCEAN CITY – Twenty-five title holders from throughout the State will compete for the Miss New Jersey crown, June 14-16. The Pageant will be held in the historic Music Pier Auditorium, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, with programs starting at 7:30 p.m. This will be the 17th time that Ocean City has hosted the event.
The winner of the Miss New Jersey Pageant will vie for the Miss America crown this January in Las Vegas.
Returning to be primary emcee will be former Miss New Jersey, Dena Blizzard a popular stand-up comic, who has received national recognition for her humor based on the trials and tribulations of being a mother. She his noted for her hilarious routines and off the cuff remarks. Dena is now performing on a CBS day time show featuring Anderson Cooper.
Dena will be assisted by co-host Brian Shahwan. John Zisa, who has entertained during the pageant in recent years, is now directing the program. Dance routines will be choreographed by Gabrielle Kadets. Robin Filippone is Pageant Producer.
Reigning Miss New Jersey, Katharyn Nicolle and Miss New Jersey Outstanding Teen, Amanda Ross, are scheduled to perform. The program will also feature song, dance and specialty numbers by the contestants.
Pageant preliminaries will be held in the Music Pier Auditorium June 14 and 15 with final on Sat., June 16. Tickets are available by calling Mary Lou Cake at 856-424-3564. The week of the Pageant call 609-315-1423. Tickets are $35 for preliminaries, $50 for the final with a package price of $100 for all three nights. For other Pageant information, call 609-525-9300.
Those competing for Miss New Jersey include Kaitlyn Schoeffel, Miss Avalon, Egg Harbor Twp., a student at Montclair University. Platform is Volunteerism; Lindsey Petrosh, Miss Atlantic County, Egg Harbor City, a graduate of Rowan University. Platform is also Volunteerism; Lauren Talvacchio, Miss Liberty, Washington Twp., a graduate of West Chester University. Platform: “The Silent Struggle, Living with Cronns and Colitis. Lindsey Giannini, Miss Gloucester County, Hammonton, a student at Rowan University. Platform: Raising Awarness and Dangers of Texting While Driving; Anna M. Negron, Miss Coastal Shore, Vineland, a student at Seton Hall University. Platform: Drunk Driving Awareness. Courtney Charatsaris, Miss Cape Shores, Totowa, a graduate of Montclair State University. Platform: Care 4 a Cure Cancer Research; Kayla Collymore, Miss Middlesex County, Neptune, a student at Rutgers University. Platform, Education on Environmental Issues.
Also competing are Hilary Levin, Miss Central Coast, Freehold, a graduate of Syracuse University. Platform: Healthier Living; Christine Skorenko, Miss Monmouth County, Etontown, a student at Johnson and Wales College. Platform: Opening the Epilepsy Window; Jennifer Taylor, Miss Cape May County, Millville, a student at Arcadia University. Platform: To Make the Best Better; Courtney Fairfield, Miss South Shore Area, Egg Harbor Township, a student at Widener University. Platform: Breast Cancer Promotion and Awareness; Samantha Mason, Miss Cumberland County, Vineland, a student at Cumberland County College/TCNJ. Platform: Power of Youth Through Agriculture; Livia Jennings, Miss South Jersey, Carney’s Point, a student at Rowan University. Platform: Anti Bullying; Carissa Palumbo, Miss Tri County, Wayne, a student at Rowan University. Platform: “The Queen of Hearts Foundation.” Krysten Moore, Miss Bergen County, Mahwan, a student of UMASS- Amherst. Platform: Education and Prevention of Childhood Bullying; Chrystina Lynn Lewis, Miss Salem County, Pennsville, a student at the Academy of Massage and Bodywork. Platform: Drive Safe N.J.; Vanessa Baez, Miss Columbus Day, Bloomfield, a student a Montclair State University. Platform: Giving Back, Helping Heroes In Need.
Other contestants include: Nychole Hunt, Miss Eastern Shore, Scotch Plains, a student at the University of Phoenix. Platform: Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness; Breanne Ray, Miss Atlantic Shores, Williamstown, a student at the University of Delaware: Platform: Shine Through Mentorship; Cierra Kaler-Jones, Miss Northern Lakes, Galloway, a student at Rutgers University. Platform: Empowering Today’s Youth through Arts Education; Angelica Nardi, Miss Seashore Line, Millville, a student at Cumberland County College. Plaform: Inspiring Self Discipline, Mind and Body; Ellen Chu, Miss Gateway, Park Ridge, a student at Rutgers University. Platform: Overcoming Obstacles, Disabilities Awareness; Nicole Washington, Miss Union County, Scotch Plains, a student a Seton Hall University. Platform NA. Madison Alterman, Miss Camden County, Voorhees, a student at Temple University. Platform: Anti Bullying through the development of communication skills; Olivia Michael, Miss Stars and Stripes, Bergenfield, a student at the College of New Jersey. Platform: “Arts for Everyone,” providing arts for underprivileged kids.
